The Australian Government is providing an incentive for Student and Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa holders to return to Australia as soon as possible to help address current workforce shortages.
Legislative Update
As of the 19/01/2022, refunds to Visa Application Charge (VAC) will be provided under specific circumstances to student and WHM.
Student visas
- Student visa holders who travel to Australia and arrive between 19 January 2022 and 19 March 2022 will be refunded the VAC for their student visa application.
- Both primary and secondary applicants will receive the refund if they arrive within this period.
- The refund applies to both current offshore visa holders and new applicants who arrive within that period.
- Students will be able to apply for a refund up until 31 December 2022. ​​
- Details of how to apply for a refund will be available shortly.
Working Holiday Makers (WHM)
- WHM who travel to Australia and arrive between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022 will be refunded the VAC for WHM visa application.
- The refund applies to both current offshore visa holders and new applicants who arrive within that period.
The current VAC for a Student visa is AUD630 and for a Working Holiday Maker it is AUD495. The VAC refund includes secondary visa holders. Further information on how to apply for a refund is at Getting a refund​.
Students – Relaxation of working hours
The Treasurer and the Minister announced this week that temporary arrangements have been put in place to relax the 40 hour per fortnight cap on working hours of Student Visa holders to assist with Australia’s economic recovery. The limitation has been lifted for work in any sector of the economy.
This temporary arrangement came into effect immediately on announcement on 19 January 2022. These arrangements will be reviewed by the Government in April 2022.
While these measures are in place:
- students must maintain their course enrolment, attendance and satisfactory progress
Home Affairs and the ABFÂ will not:
- cancel the visas of students working more than 40 hours per fortnight
- not refer students for breaches of s235 of the Act related to working hours
- not refer employers or labour hire companies for investigation for allowing students to work in breach of their visa conditions
Further information is available on the Home Affairs website.
Working Holiday Makers – 6 month work limitation relaxed
The Treasurer and the Minister also announced this week that the 6 month limitation on working for the same employer or organisation has been lifted for WHM also effective from 19 January until 31 December 2022.
- WHM will not need to request permission to extend this employment.
- WHM visa holders must meet Australia’s vaccination requirements or have an approved travel exemption.
Further information is available on the Home Affairs website.
Overall
These measures are temporary and designed to provide immediate assistance to Australian businesses currently facing critical workforce shortages. This will enable them to continue delivering goods and services to the Australian community.
Dario Ishiyama – Principal Registered Migration Agent, Visaroos
MARN: 1800462
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